Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

An examination of the points of divergence and convergence between the Principlist and Reformist currents in relation to political development, based on Samuel Huntington's model (from 2005 to 2021)

Authors
Jassim Hamid 1
Ali Mohseni Moshtaghin 2
Ali Shirkhani 2
1 PhD student, Department of Political Science, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
10.22034/jgeoq.2026.541378.4321
Abstract
Political development is a fundamental concept in political science, dependent on efficient institutions, participation, rule of law, stability, and governance capacity. Samuel Huntington's theory, emphasizing the primacy of institutionalization over political participation, provides a suitable framework for analyzing Iran's political currents. This research aims to examine the points of convergence and divergence between Principlists and Reformists regarding political development based on Huntington's model, studying the period from 2005 to 2021 (including the 9th to 12th governments). The research method is descriptive-analytical, with data collected from library resources, documents, laws, and political performance. Findings indicate that both currents have pursued political development within the framework of preserving the political system and the Constitution, but they differ in their methods of realization. Principlists emphasize state authority, security, national cohesion, preservation of revolutionary values, and strengthening of governing institutions. In contrast, Reformists focus on expanding public participation, strengthening civil society, developing political freedoms, increasing electoral competition, and institutional accountability. From Huntington's perspective, both approaches have strengths and weaknesses: Principlists prioritize institutionalization and stability, while Reformists prioritize participation and political competition. The research demonstrates that sustainable political development is only achieved through a balance among institutionalization, rule of law, participation, stability, and efficiency. Consequently, the optimal model requires the simultaneous utilization of shared capacities and the resolution of weaknesses from both currents within the framework of Huntington's theory.
Keywords
Political development, fundamentalists, reformists, Huntington'
s model
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